After reading through the FDA's guidelines on food packaging (591 pages, though thankfully I took one of those infomercial speed reading courses) I've summarized the relevant components into a few pages at (http://www.tearetailer.com/article_39.html).

I'm glad to field any follow-up questions, but am more curious to hear who's packaging (tea companies) you prefer? The legalese has me exhausted.

I am very much attracted by the metal cans of Republic of Tea. The cans are not super fancy or unique, but for some reason I just love the combination of shape, design and color. I've never had their tea. But if the tea were a bit less expensive, I am very likely to buy one just for the can

Tao of Tea and Mariage Frères are the ones I have liked the most.Tao of Tea –liked the tin (particularly the lid). Labels – quite nice except for the logo font (not digging it)Mariage Frères – the black color and the shape of the tin – really cool.

T-Salon in NYC had recyclable packaging which is a nice idea. However, inside the paper tin there was a plastic bag which does not look good and sort of defeats the purpose.

Tao of Tea, and Ippodo Tea. I love the simple double-lidded tins from ToT, and LOVE the fact that I can remove the label when finished, since it is attached in a non-destructive way, and have an extremely functional and attractive reusable tin.

Ippodo, their tins are nice and reusuable. The glue is water soluble, so the labels are easily removed when finished. I absolutely adore that the premium teas come wrapped in an origami-esque paper wrapping. The highest quality comes in a small presentation box containing the tin. In the interest of reducing packaging, I'm not such a fan of that, but it is attractive.

I'm always in favor of functional simplicity. I prefer tins over plastic, due to breakage and re-use issues, and really like being able to completely remove branding/labeling when the tea is used up, so I can use it for my own purposes, or for gift-giving.

However, this is not generally best for storage after opening the pouch. Some Japanese vendors are now including a ziplock which would allow use even after opening, but I always transfer to more appropriate reusable canisters with double lids.